Denver Mukamba crowned Zim Footballer of the year (2012)

[Posted 14 Dec 2012][By Brighton Mupangavanhu]

The overwhelming candidate to clinch the 2012 Castle Lager Premier Soccer Season Footballer of Year award, teenager Denver Mukamba of Dynamos, landed the award at the ceremony held in Harare on Friday night.

The Bidvest-Wits bound star attacking midfielder was outstanding for most of the season, playing a central role in Dynamos' retention of the league title and the Mbada Diamonds Cup which they won last year. Mukamba also scored 11 goals, finishing tied on Golden Boot runner-up position with Mambare.

Mukamba received a paltry $5000 for all his exploits. At least soccer lovers in Zimbabwe will have to appreciate and be content with the fact that sponsorship is trickling back into football after years of 'drought'.

The other top three contestants received $3000 and $2000 for the 1st runner and 2nd runner up awards.

There were fears that the selection process would be marred by immaturity in Zimbabwean football which sees journalists, and of all people, even ZIFA divided into regional feuds, mainly along Northern and Southern region lines, with childish-like tribal overtones in this day and age.

It was genuinely feared that some compromise between Player of the Year and Coach of the Year could be seen at the awards, with Mukamba winning the award he thoroughly deserved, while an attempt to appease the Southern region would have seen Kelvin Kaindu walking away with Coach of the Year award which he hardly deserved.

Sanity appeared to at least have dictated proceedings, and few will complain that the winners below never deserved their awards.